Multi-pivot tower fan

ABSTRACT

An appliance assembly that can provide multiple independently positionable appliances, such as fans. The appliance assembly includes a base support, a frame coupled to the base support, and a number of appliances each contained within an appliance housing. Each appliance housing is rotatably mounted to an outer gimbal such that it is rotatable about a first axis, and each outer gimbal is mounted to the frame such that it is rotatable about a second axis. The appliance assembly can provide two degrees of freedom for positioning each of the number of appliances. The frame, outer gimbals, and appliance housing can be formed in a variety of shapes. The appliance assembly can be used, for example, with any product where it is desirable to have multiple independently positionable assemblies, such as fans, speakers, microphones, lights, and heaters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable appliances, such as fans, and, more particularly, to a portable fan capable of generating multiple independently positionable airflows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable fans are employed for a variety of purposes including air circulation and convective cooling. Such fans are relatively small and light, and are intended to be placed on the floor or countertop. The most frequently used forms of portable fans are the box fan and the pedestal fan which have an axial flow fan contained within an enclosure which is placed on the floor or mounted atop a pedestal.

Many improvements have been included in the design of portable fans to optimize or enhance their performance as coolers and air circulators. Specifically, many improvements have been made in controlling the volume and direction of airflow to suit the purpose for which the fan is employed.

To enhance the convective cooling ability of fans, different mechanisms have been developed for directing the air-stream generated by a fan towards a particular target. Fan enclosures have been pivotally mounted atop a pedestal so that the fan can be rotated about the vertical axis to adjust the direction of the airflow in the horizontal plane. Because many fans are placed on low surfaces, such as the floor, fans have been mounted about the midsection of the fan enclosure to a U-shaped base to form a yoke-like structure, thereby allowing the vertical direction of the airflow to be adjusted. This configuration allows the fan to be adjusted so that the airflow is directed at a specific target in the vertical plane.

Frequently, it is desirable to cool or direct airflow at more than one target in a room. To accomplish this, fans have been modified with a variety of air deflection devices. One solution is a motorized pivot which oscillates the fan to cyclically direct the airflow over a pre-defined range. This results in the airflow being directed at different targets in the same horizontal plane along the oscillating range. However, this may create undesirable air flow as the fan oscillates back and forth. If airflow is desired in only two locations, an oscillating fan may be used to create the breeze in those two locations, but will invariably also create an airflow at all points in between those two locations. Additionally, this oscillating configuration is limited to providing airflow generally at only two locations.

Another solution is to use a fan grill with angled veins to deflect the airflow. The grill veins can oscillate to change their deflection pattern, thus providing a similar result to oscillating the entire fan. Alternatively, a grill employing angled veins can be rotatably mounted to the fan enclosure, and the entire grill rotated to adjust the direction of the airflow. Such a rotatable grill is capable of directing the airflow to multiple points defined by the angle of the veins as the grill rotates, but it will also direct airflow at all point in between.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a fan capable of directing airflow at multiple targets without inadvertently directing the airflow at all points between the targets. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a fan capable of directing airflow at multiple targets that are not in the same horizontal and vertical plane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable appliances, such as fans, and, more particularly, to a portable fan capable of generating multiple independently positionable airflows.

One aspect of this invention provides an appliance assembly having a base support, a number of appliances, each contained within an appliance housing, and a frame coupled to the base support. Each appliance housing is rotatably mounted to an outer gimbal such that it is rotatable about a first axis, and each outer gimbal is mounted to the frame such that it is rotatable about a second axis. Thus, each appliance housing can be positioned independently with two degrees of freedom, and can be individually directed.

In a further aspect of this invention, the appliance contained within the appliance housing can include a blower fan.

In a further aspect, the first and second axes are preferably perpendicular to each other. The first axis may be a vertical axis and the second axis may be a horizontal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear side elevation view of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial right side elevation view of the first embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a partial front elevation view of the first embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, in one embodiment the present invention is directed to a portable fan 10 having a base 60, a frame 20, a number of blower fans 50, each enclosed by a blower housing 40. Each blower housing 40 is rotatably mounted to an outer gimbal 30 at mount points 80 such that it is rotatable about a first axis. Each outer gimbal 30 is rotatably mounted to the frame 20 at mount points 70 such that it is rotatable about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. The frame 20 is coupled to the base 60 which provides support and keeps the fan 10 upright.

The rotational configuration of each blower fan 50 is similar to a gimbal, in which the blower housing 40 is the inner gimbal. While a gimbal is most frequently associated with a set of gimbal rings, it is understood that a circular structure is not required and each structure defining a plane of rotation about an axis can take any shape. While the function of the outer gimbal 30 is not identical to that of an aeronautical or gyroscopic gimbal, because the structure provides a similar function, it is refereed to herein as the outer gimbal 30.

Each blower fan 50 is independently positionable about the first and second axis defined by mount points 80 and 70. Because each fan 50 is rotatable about two non-parallel axes, the direction of the air flow can be positioned with two degrees of freedom. In a preferred embodiment, the first axis defined by mount points 80 is perpendicular to the second axis defined by mount points 70. This configuration provides easy control of the direction of the air flow from each blower fan 50.

While the invention as shown in FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of this invention having three blower fans 50 substantially vertically aligned in frame 20, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that two or more blower fans 50 can be used to achieve the desired objectives of this invention. Furthermore, the frame 20, the outer gimbals 30, and blower housings 40 can have a wide variety of configurations. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate that the frame 20 can arc or slant such that blower fans 50 are staggered and are not required to be vertically aligned. The frame 20 may extend horizontally, rather than vertically as illustrated in the figures, or it may be a square, rectangle, or other shape enclosing a array of blower fans (e.g., a three-by-three or two-by-four array). The frame 20 can also have irregular or decorative shapes that provide mount points 70 to which the outer gimbals 30 can be rotatably mounted.

The frame 20 can also twist, such that, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the frame 20 would look similar to a double-helix. Additionally, Frame 20 does not have to be an enclosed shape, but rather can be an open, for example a “U” structure or two vertical beams.

Similarly, the outer gimbal 30 and blower housing 40, although illustrated in the figures as circular, do not have to be circular. Outer gimbal 30 and blower housing 40 can be any shape that allows them to be rotatably connected at mount points 70. Neither are outer gimbal 30 and blower housing 40 required to be the same, or even similar, shapes.

It should be noted that the shape of the frame 20, outer gimbal 30 and blower housing 40 can be designed to limit the degree and direction of rotation about the first and second axis, and thus affect the directional range of the air flow generated by each blower fan 50. The shape of each part can be designed such that it will be prevented from rotating in one direction about its axis, or the shapes can be designed to only allow a predetermined degree of rotation. Alternatively, the rotating mechanism of mount points 70 and 80 can be designed to limit the degree or direction of rotation.

In another aspect of the invention, if the shapes of the blower housing 40, outer gimbal 30, or frame 20 are such that rotation about either the first or second axis causes interference between either the blower housing 40 and the outer gimbal 30 or the outer gimbal 30 and the frame 20, mount points 70 and 80 can be positioned away from the inner surface of the frame 20 or outer gimbal 30. Positioning the mount points 70 and 80 away from their respective inner surfaces provides a larger clearance distance between the rotating components, and thus prevents interference between the components and allows for a greater degree of rotation. According to this aspect, alternative shapes can be used while not limiting the direction or degree of rotation about the first or second axis.

The embodiment in the figures illustrates a parallel first axis and a parallel second axis for each blower housing 40 and outer gimbal 30. It should be understood that the first and second axis of each blower housing 40 and outer gimbal 30 do not need to be parallel to the first and second axis of each other blower housing 40 and outer gimbal 30. Rather, each blower housing can have its own first and second axes.

In yet another aspect of this invention, each blower fan 50 provides independent control of the blower speed. This may be useful for many situations. If there are two targets which are not equidistant from the fan 10, the closer target may not require the same velocity magnitude of air current, i.e., a person closer to the fan may be cold if the fan were run at the speed necessary to provide a comfortable level of air flow to someone further away. Similarly, the temperature or breeze which people find comfortable can differ greatly from one person to another. Thus, the speed control of each blower fan 50 can be controlled from a control panel 90. Controls 110, 120, and 130 can be individually associated with one of the blower fans 50. Additionally, each control can provide multiple independent speeds. Alternatively, a single control (not shown) could be provided, thus providing control of all the blower fans 50 from a single device.

In another aspect of this invention each blower housing 40 can include a detachable grill 140. Detachable grills 140 allow for ease of cleaning and can prevent dust buildup on the fan.

In a further aspect of the invention, electrical wires 125 that supply power to each fan blower can be guided through the internal cavities of any of the frame 20, the outer gimbals 30, the base 60, and the blower housings 40. Between components, the electrical wires 125 can be guided through the mount points 70 and 80. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the electrical wires 125 entering the frame 20 and passing through mount point 70, outer gimbal 30, mount point 80, and into blower housing 40. Thus, the exposed electrical wiring is significantly limited, thereby increasing electrical safety, without decreasing the aesthetic appeal of the overall assembly.

To increase the portability of the fan 10, the fan 10 can include a handle 100. The handle 100 can be coupled to any part of the fan 10. Preferably, the handle 100 is coupled to the fan so as to be positioned over the center of gravity of the fan 10. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the handle 100 is positioned at the top and center of the fan. Similarly, another aspect of the present invention provides that the frame 20 can be detached from the base 60, thereby enhancing the portability of the fan 10.

The embodiment of the present invention described herein is directed to a fan. However, it should be understood that the present invention may also be applicable to other appliances or products. For example, such products where it is desired to have multiple independently positional assemblies. Examples of such appliance assemblies include audio speakers, microphone arrays, lights, and heaters.

While the invention has been shown by way of reference to a portable fan having a base, frame, a plurality of outer gimbals, and a plurality of blower housings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be utilized in any portable device, such as a fan, and that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An appliance assembly comprising: a base support; a frame coupled to the base support; a plurality of appliances, each appliance contained within a respective appliance housing; an outer gimbal frame for each of the plurality of appliance housings, wherein each appliance housing is rotatably mounted to the respective outer gimbal so that the appliance housing is rotatable about a first axis, and each respective outer gimbal is rotatably mounted to the frame so that the outer gimbal is rotatable about a second axis, the second axis being non-parallel to the first axis.
 2. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of appliances includes a blower fan.
 3. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second axis are perpendicular.
 4. The appliance assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a power control unit configured to control the power of each appliance independently of the other appliances.
 5. The appliance assembly of claim 4, wherein the power control unit is further configured to independently power each of the appliances at a desired power level.
 6. The appliance assembly of claim 2, further comprising: a power control unit configured to control the speed of each of the blower fans independently of the other blower fans.
 7. The appliance assembly of claim 6, wherein the power control unit is further configured to independently operate each of the blower fans at a desired speed.
 8. The appliance assembly of claim 4, wherein the power control unit is embedded in the frame.
 9. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of appliances is provided electrical power by a set of wires, the wires being contained within at least one of the base, the frame, outer gimbal, and the appliance housing.
 10. The appliance assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the frame.
 11. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is detachably coupled to the base support.
 12. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotatable outer gimbal mounting to the frame establishes a predetermined degree of rotation of the outer gimbal.
 13. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotatable appliance housing mounting to the outer gimbal establishes a predetermined degree of rotation of the appliance housing.
 14. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of outer gimbals includes a circular ring, and each of the plurality of appliance housings includes a circular body received within a respective ring.
 15. The appliance assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of appliance housings includes a detachable grill.
 16. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of appliances are mounted such that the plurality of appliances are substantially vertically aligned.
 17. The appliance assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of appliances are mounted such that the plurality of appliances are substantially horizontally aligned.
 18. A fan assembly comprising: a base support; a frame coupled to the base support; a plurality of blower fans, each blower fan contained within a respective fan housing; an outer gimbal frame for each of the plurality of fan housings, wherein each fan housing is rotatably mounted to the respective outer gimbal so that the fan housing is rotatable about a first axis, and each respective outer gimbal is rotatably mounted to the frame so that the outer gimbal is rotatable about a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
 19. The fan assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of outer gimbals includes a circular ring, and each of the plurality of blower housings includes a circular body received within a respective ring.
 20. The fan assembly of claim 18, further comprising: a power control unit configured to control the speed of each blower fan independently of the other blower fans. 